…it’s turned out to be the most art-soaked fortnight in Europe. First up, driving through the Costa Brava in Catalonia, Spain. If you’re the creative sort, given to kooky excess, I mightily recommend this road trip. The highlight? That giant surreal wonderland – Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum at Figueres, followed by Dali’s house at Port Lligat. Book a week in advance for a tour that’ll take you through his studio, study, bedroom, eventually unleashing you by the swimming pool, free to roam around olive groves and own bizarre fantasies.
If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, can I suggest you get a bunch of pals and book an Eric Vokel Boutique Apartment? They have three locations in the city, besides Madrid, New York and Amsterdam. I stayed at the Gran Via Suites and fell in love with the Euro-cool independence of it all. Central location, super-friendly staff, your own key to enter and exit the building, and above all, the most addictive little vintage elevator. The ideal base for a dreamy Barcelona weekend…and more!
Onwards from sexy Spain to Helsinki, World Design Capital. An exciting Design Week’s just wrapped up and the city’s welcoming autumn. It’s cold and windy by Indian standards, but Finns can thaw you out with their no-frills friendliness and approachability. Ask anyone for directions and strangers who’ve just picked fresh mushrooms will walk you to your destination, discussing how best to cook them.
From the serene Finnair lounge at Helsinki Airport, to Harri Koskinen’s ice block lamp (in my room at Hotel Helka), the Finnish flair for functional modish design shows across public spaces and residences in Helsinki, be it furniture to food!
If you’re an Angry Birds fan (creation of a Finnish computer game developer), you’ll love the Moomins! Big baaps of Finnish pop culture, these hippo-like creatures were created as way back as 1945 by Swedish-Finnish artist Tove Jansson. Americans may not have heard of them (neither have we; our loss) but they’re big from Japan to the UK. In Finland, of course, there’s Moomin merchandise everywhere you look, and even an amusement park at Naantali.
That smirking chica in the middle my favourite – Pikku Myy (Little Myy) who lives in Moominvalley with Moominpappa, Moominmamma and Moomintroll. Awww!
You can win copies of her book right here! Tell us in the comments below where you plan to go for a holiday next?